BMJ 2000;320:1517-1520 ( 3 June )

Information in practice

Systematic review of studies of patient satisfaction with telemedicine

Frances Mair, senior lecturer in general practice a,  Pamela Whitten, assistant professor b. 

a Department of Primary Care, Whelan Building, Quadrangle, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GB, b Department of Telecommunication, Michigan State University, 409 Communication Arts and Sciences Building, East Lansing, MI 48824-1212, USA

Correspondence to: F Mair f.s.mair{at}liv.ac.uk


  Abstract
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References

Objective: To review research into patient satisfaction with teleconsultation, specifically clinical consultations between healthcare providers and patients involving real time interactive video.
Design: Systematic review of telemedicine satisfaction studies. Electronic databases searched include Medline, Embase, Science Citation Index, Social Sciences Citation Index, Arts and Humanities Citation Index, and the TIE (Telemedicine Information Exchange) database.
Subjects: Studies conducted worldwide and published between 1966 and 1998.
Main outcome measures: Quality of evidence about patient satisfaction.
Results: 32 studies were identified. Study methods used were simple survey instruments (26 studies), exact methods not specified (5), and qualitative methods (1). Study designs were randomised controlled trial (1 trial); random patient selection (2); case-control (1); and selection criteria not specified or participants represented consecutive referrals, convenience samples, or volunteers (28). Sample sizes were <= 20 (10 trials), <= 100 (14), >100 (7), and not specified (1). All studies reported good levels of patient satisfaction. Qualitative analysis revealed methodological problems with all the published work. Even so, important issues were highlighted that merit further investigation. There is a paucity of data examining patients' perceptions or the effects of this mode of healthcare delivery on the interaction between providers and clients.
Conclusions: Methodological deficiencies (low sample sizes, context, and study designs) of the published research limit the generalisability of the findings. The studies suggest that teleconsultation is acceptable to patients in a variety of circumstances, but issues relating to patient satisfaction require further exploration from the perspective of both clients and providers.

  Introduction
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References

Telemedicine can be defined as the use of telecommunications technologies to provide medical information and services.1 There is increasing interest in the use of telemedicine as a means of healthcare delivery. This is partly because technological advances have made the equipment less expensive and simpler to use and partly because increasing healthcare costs and patient expectations have increased the need to find alternative modes of healthcare delivery.

A wide variety of studies concerning telemedicine, interactive video consultations, have been performed in different settings throughout the world. Commentators on telemedicine frequently highlight the need for research into safety, efficacy, and cost effectiveness. Telemedicine literature abounds with publications about patient satisfaction, which are generally positive, and as a result there is a tendency to assume that the need for further research into this is less of a priority.

We argue in this paper that (a) the available research fails both to provide satisfactory explanations of the underlying reasons for patient satisfaction or dissatisfaction with telemedicine and to explore communication issues in any depth and (b) generalisations about satisfaction with telemedical care are difficult because of methodological deficiencies of the current evidence. To support this perspective, we provide the results of a systematic literature review of research into telemedicine satisfaction, in the context of interactive video.

  Methods
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References

Search strategy
To identify telemedicine satisfaction studies the following electronic databases were searched: Medline 1966 to 1998, Embase 1988-98, Science Citation Index 1981-98, Social Sciences Citation Index 1981-98, Arts and Humanities Citation Index 1981-98, and the TIE (Telemedicine Information Exchange) database. Searches were restricted to English language papers, and the keywords used were: "patient satisfaction," "consumer satisfaction," "telecommunications," and "telemedicine." The reference lists of papers identified were hand searched for other relevant references.

We included only clinical trials that explored patient satisfaction with teleconsultation, specifically those clinical consultations between healthcare providers from any discipline and patients that involve the use of real time interactive video. We excluded review or discussion papers, studies in which the use of telecommunications technologies was primarily for educational or administrative purposes and not linked to direct patient care, and studies in which the patient was not physically present at either point of care. In addition, if any single study resulted in multiple publications, we reviewed only the principal paper focusing on patient satisfaction. The studies we reviewed had evaluation of patient satisfaction either as the main outcome measure or at least as a prominent feature of their overall assessment of the project. We did not include telemedicine projects that did not directly measure patient satisfaction but reported "unsolicited feedback" that suggests a reasonable degree of satisfaction with telemedicine services.2

Selection criteria
It is acknowledged that well designed and executed trials, particularly randomised controlled trials, provide the most reliable evidence for inclusion in any systematic review.3 However, in view of the limited number of patient satisfaction studies that met the search criteria outlined above, we analysed data from all clinical trials identified irrespective of sample size or methodologies used. Titles and abstracts of the studies identified by the outlined search strategy were read to determine their potential eligibility for the review. The full articles were then assessed for relevance.

Outcome measures and data extraction
The outcome measures we examined included patients' satisfaction (principally overall satisfaction with the telemedicine service but also including levels of satisfaction with communication via this medium, telemedicine consultations compared with traditional face to face consultations, and technical performance) and patients' willingness to use telemedicine in the future.

We recorded the studies' bibliographic details; descriptions of study setting and study population; subject selection criteria; details of form and delivery of the intervention; and outcome measures. We also noted patient numbers, response rates, study methodologies, and other factors affecting the validity of results, including effect modifiers.

Qualitative analysis
In view of the heterogeneous nature of the studies identified, the dearth of randomised controlled trials, and the preponderance of demonstration and feasibility studies, the data available did not permit the use of formal statistical techniques such as meta-analysis. Instead, we conducted a broad qualitative overview of the data, including a critical review of the strength of the findings. We judged the reliability and validity of data by the methodologies used in each study and judged their generalisability from the study context. We did not use a formal scoring method as no well validated instrument for qualitative review yet exists. 3 4 However, as the basis for our critical appraisal of the studies, we used a checklist designed for assessing the methodological quality of both randomised and non-randomised studies of healthcare interventions.4

  Results
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References

Thirty two studies met our selection criteria. The studies examined the use of interactive video in diverse contexts ranging from specialist consultations to home nursing. Many of these represented demonstration and feasibility studies rather than full scale trials. This is reflected in their sample sizes often being small and selection criteria for study participants rarely being random in nature. Only seven studies had more than 100 participants,5-11 14 were small pilot studies with less than 100 patients,12-25 and 10 were simple feasibility studies with 20 or fewer patients.26-35 One paper, which presented an overview of an Australian regional telepsychiatry project, did not provide patient numbers.36

The table lists the studies by type of consultation. (An extra table on the BMJ 's website provides further detail of studies in which patient numbers were over 20 and methods of measuring patient satisfaction were explicitly described. None of these studies declared any conflicts of interest.)


                              
View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 

Studies of patient satisfaction with teleconsultations

In terms of methodologies used, 26 studies used simple survey instruments, five did not specify the exact methods, and one used qualitative methods. Only one study was a randomised controlled trial,10 in two others patients were randomly selected, 19 23 and one was a case-control study.20 In the remaining 28 studies selection criteria were not specified or participants represented consecutive referrals, convenience samples, or volunteers.

Measures of patient satisfaction
The studies mainly used simple survey instruments to ascertain patient satisfaction. Firm conclusions are limited by methodological difficulties, but it would seem that the patients found teleconsultations acceptable; noted definite advantages, particularly increased accessibility of specialist expertise, less travel required, and reduced waiting times; but also had some disquiet about this mode of healthcare delivery, particularly relating to communication between provider and client via this medium.

Shortcomings of studies
We identified several problems with the studies that affect their reliability and validity. Many studies had small sample sizes, almost a third having 20 or fewer participants, and low response rates, as low as 50%.22 Patient selection criteria were often not clearly specified, or there were no formal selection criteria. Most of the studies (28) used volunteers or physician referrals and provided no information about refusal rates at point of initial referral. Thus, it is not possible to discount selection bias in favour of those likely to be positive about teleconsultation.

Methodologies used for assessing satisfaction were not clearly specified in many studies, making interpretation and comparison of results problematic. Most studies sought to measure whether patients would use the systems again or were "satisfied" with the service. However, few studies defined what satisfaction meant. Therefore, we are unable to discern whether the participants said they were satisfied because telemedicine didn't kill them, or that it was "OK," or that it was a wonderful experience. The available evidence does not help us to understand the reasons underlying satisfaction or dissatisfaction. In addition, most of the studies presented only initial impressions and failed to explore what happened to patient satisfaction over time, thereby making it possible that the novelty value of the technology resulted in a positive bias.

The cost of teleconsultations compared with routine consultations was not addressed. This is particularly pertinent to the US studies, which account for over 45% of the studies found. The US system of healthcare delivery is a fee for service system, yet the US studies do not mention whether patients attending for teleconsultation paid for the service in the usual way or whether they received this service free of charge. As many US telemedicine projects are primarily grant funded, it is possible that in some studies participants received free teleconsultations, which could affect their satisfaction with the service provided.

Because of the survey nature of most of the studies, there are often inconsistencies in responses that remain unexplained. One possible explanation lies in the survey design. Many surveys have questions with multiple constructs (such as: "I felt the physician was easy to talk to and understood everything I said"). When a single question contains two constructs it is not possible to know which actual construct the participant is responding to, making the data difficult to interpret.

The effects, if any, of telemedicine on communicative behaviours and the interaction between provider and patient during the consultation remained virtually unexplored. There was a lack of data examining patients' perceptions.

Generalisability of results
The generalisability of much of the published research is limited because of effect modifiers such as study setting. One of the largest studies examined teleconsultation in a prison in the United States.5 Clearly, there are several reasons why satisfaction in prisoners may be different from that in the general population. Thus, the peculiarities of the setting mean that this study's results cannot be applied reliably to the general population of that country or more widely.

Furthermore, the delivery of health care was somewhat artificial in many studies. Participants often received a teleconsultation in addition to a routine consultation, and so were really being asked to make a hypothetical judgment as to its value. In many studies participants also received "special" treatment, with every effort being made to minimise inconvenience. Satisfaction in these somewhat artificial contexts may not be readily translatable to satisfaction with telemedicine when it is being used in routine practice.

  Discussion
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References

The published research suggests that healthcare delivery via telemedicine is acceptable to patients in a variety of circumstances, but, by addressing this issue in a rather superficial manner, most studies have produced more questions than answers. Thus far, most telemedicine research has had a technological focus. We know a great deal about bandwidths and resolution, but little about the human dimensions that make the practice possible. Pragmatic information that can benefit future delivery of health care via telemedicine is needed.

The following issues need to be addressed:

  • What types of consultation are suitable for teleconsulting? Is it suitable for initial consultations, or do patients find it more acceptable to use telemedicine technology just for follow up appointments?

  • What are the effects of this mode of healthcare delivery on the doctor-patient relationship? Examining patient perceptions would help to address the reasons why patients liked or disliked a service and help healthcare providers to better understand patients' subjective definitions of acceptability and utility.

  • How do communicative issues affect the delivery of health care via telemedicine? We need to better understand the effects of telemedicine on consultations in order to improve the services we provide through this medium.

  • What are the possible limitations of telemedicine in clinical practice?

In addition, we need to use research tools that have been shown to be reliable and valid. Questionnaires have advantages and disadvantages, but if they are to be used in future research we need to use instruments that have undergone rigorous testing and have been shown to produce repeatable results and to measure what they are intended to measure. Future evaluations need to start with a set of clear hypotheses and objectives and to use clearly defined methodologies that will increase the likelihood of meeting the initial aims. Although randomised controlled trials may not always be practical, representative patient samples are necessary in order to improve the usefulness of results obtained.

This review serves to highlight methodological deficiencies in the published research. Although there are practical obstacles to evaluating telemedicine,37 there remains a need for further exploration of this field in order to facilitate an evidence based approach to the wider introduction of this new technology. It is an oversimplification to suggest that this aspect of telemedicine has undergone sufficient scrutiny.


What is already known on this topic

Telemedicine is currently advocated as a mode of healthcare delivery because of its potential to diminish inequalities in service provision and to improve access to care

Studies of interactive teleconsultations have been performed in a diversity of settings throughout the world, and most suggest that patients are satisfied with this mode of healthcare delivery

However, preliminary review of this literature indicates there are still many gaps in knowledge in relation to patient satisfaction with telemedicine

What this study adds

This systematic review of the telemedicine literature demonstrates that methodological deficiencies in the published research affect the validity and generalisability of the results and that communication issues, the quality of interpersonal relationships with this medium, and subsequent effects, if any, on the outcome of consultations have yet to be fully explored

Future research in this subject needs to be more scientifically robust in order to assist policymakers in reaching informed decisions about the appropriate use of this technology



  Acknowledgments

We thank Dr Mark Gabbay, senior lecturer, Department of Primary Care, University of Liverpool, and Dr Maria Leitner, Health and Community Care Research Unit, University of Liverpool, for advice and comments.

Contributors: FM contributed to initiation of the research, discussed core ideas, designed the protocol, participated in data collection, analysed and interpreted the data, and participated in writing the paper. PW initiated the primary study hypothesis and the research, discussed core ideas, and participated in study design, data collection, and writing of the paper. FM is guarantor of this paper.

  Footnotes

Funding: None.

Competing interests: None.

An extra table giving details of studies appears on the BMJ website

  References
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References

1. Perednia DA, Allen A. Telemedicine technology and clinical applications. JAMA 1995; 273: 483-488[Abstract/Free Full Text].
2. Mahmud K, Lenz J. The personal telemedicine system. A new tool for the delivery of health care. J Telemed Telecare 1995; 1: 173-177[Medline].
3. NHS Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. Report Number 4. York: University of York, 1996.
4. Downs SH, Black N. The feasibility of creating a checklist for the assessment of the methodological quality both of randomised and non-randomised studies of health care interventions. J Epidemiol Community Health 1998; 52: 377-384[Abstract].
5. Brecht RM, Gray CL, Peterson C, Youngblood B. The University of Texas Medical Branch-Texas Department of Criminal Justice telemedicine project: findings from the first year of operation. Telemed J 1996; 2: 25-35[Medline].
6. Loane MA, Bloomer SE, Corbett R, Eedy DJ, Gore HE, Mathews C, et al. Patient satisfaction with realtime teledermatology in Northern Ireland. J Telemed Telecare 1998; 4: 36-40[Medline].
7. Lowitt MH, Kessler II, Kauffman CL, Hooper FJ, Siegel E, Burnett JW. Teledermatology and in-person examinations: a comparison of patient and physician perceptions and diagnostic agreement. Arch Dermatol 1998; 134: 471-476[Abstract/Free Full Text].
8. Gilmour E, Campbell SM, Loane MA, Esmail A, Griffiths CE, Roland MO, et al. Comparison of teleconsultations and face-to-face consultations: preliminary results of a United Kingdom multicentre teledermatology study. Br J Dermatol 1998; 139: 81-87[CrossRef][Medline].
9. Oakley AMM, Astwood DR, Loane M, Duffill MB, Rademaker M, Wootton R. Diagnostic accuracy of teledermatology: results of a preliminary study in New Zealand. NZ Med J 1997; 110: 51-53[Medline].
10. Brennan JA, Kealy JA, Gerardi L, Shih R, Allegra J, Sannipoli L, et al. A randomized controlled trial of telemedicine in an emergency department. J Telemed Telecare 1998; 4(suppl 1): 18-20.
11. Duffy JR, Werven GW, Aronson AE. Telemedicine and the diagnosis of speech and language disorders. Mayo Clin Proc 1997; 72: 1116-1122[Abstract].
12. Huston JL, Burton DC. Patient satisfaction with multispecialty interactive teleconsultations. J Telemed Telecare 1997; 3: 205-208[CrossRef][Medline].
13. Callahan EJ, Hilty DM, Nesbitt TS. Patient satisfaction with telemedicine consultation in primary care: comparison of ratings of medical and mental health applications. Telemed J 1998; 4: 363-369[Medline].
14. Conrath DW, Buckingham P, Dunn EV, Swanson JN. An experimental evaluation of alternative communication systems as used for medical diagnosis. Behav Sci 1975; 20: 296-305[Medline].
15. Blakeslee DB, Grist WJ, Stachura ME, Blakeslee BS. Practice of otolaryngology via telemedicine. Laryngoscope 1998; 108: 1-7[Medline].
16. Blackmon LA, Kaak HO, Ranseen J. Consumer satisfaction with telemedicine child psychiatry consultation in rural Kentucky. Psychiatr Serv 1997; 48: 14644-14666.
17. Harrison R, Clayton W, Wallace P. Can telemedicine be used to improve communication between primary and secondary care? BMJ 1997; 313: 1377-1381[Abstract/Free Full Text].
18. Jones DH, Crichton C, Macdonald A, Potts S, Sime D, Toms J, et al. Teledermatology in the highlands of Scotland. J Telemed Telecare 1996; 2(suppl 1): 7-9.
19. Baigent MF, Lloyd C, Kavanagh SJ, Ben-Tovim DI, Yellowlees PM, Kalucy RS, et al. Telepsychiatry: `tele' yes, but what about the `psychiatry'? J Telemed Telecare 1997; 3(suppl 1): 3-5.
20. Dongier M, Tempier R, Lalinec-Michaud M, Meunier D. Telepsychiatry: psychiatric consultation through two-way television. A controlled study. Can J Psychiatry 1986; 31: 32-34[Medline].
21. Allen A, Hayes MPA. Patient satisfaction with teleoncology: a pilot study. Telemed J 1995; 1: 41-46[Medline].
22. Clarke PHJ. A referrer and patient evaluation of a telepsychiatry consultation-liaison service in South Australia. J Telemed Telecare 1997; 3(suppl 1): 12-14.
23. Pedersen S, Holand U. Tele-endoscopic otorhinolaryngoligical examination: preliminary study of patient satisfaction. Telemed J 1995; 1: 47-52[Medline].
24. Whitten P, Mair FS, Collins B. Home tele-nursing care in Kansas: patients' perceptions of uses and benefits. J Telemed Telecare 1997; 3: 67-69
25. Graham M. Telepsychiatry in Appalachia. Am Behav Sci 1996; 39: 602-615[Abstract].
26. Hubble JP, Pahwa R, Michalek DK, Thomas C, Koller WC. Interactive video conferencing: a means of providing interim care to Parkinson's disease patients. Mov Disord 1993; 8: 380-382[CrossRef][Medline].
27. Takano T, Nakamura K, Akao C. Assessment of the value of videophones in home healthcare. Telecomm Policy 1995; 19: 241-248.
28. Couturier P, Tyrrell J, Tonetti J, Rhul C, Franco A. Feasibility of orthopaedic teleconsulting in a geriatric rehabilitation service. J Telemed Telecare 1998; 4(suppl 1): 85-87.
29. Itzak B, Weinberger T, Berkovitch E, Reis S. Telemedicine in primary care in Israel. J Telemed Telecare 1998; 4(suppl. 1): 11-14.
30. Baer L, Cukor P, Jenike MA, Leahy L, O'Laughlen J, Coyle JT. Pilot studies of telemedicine for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Am J Psychiatry 1995; 152: 1383-1385[Abstract/Free Full Text].
31. Doolittle GC, Yaezel A, Otto F, Clemens C. Hospice care using home-based telemedicine systems. J Telemed Telecare 1998; 4(suppl. 1): 58-59.
32. Kunkler IH, Rafferty P, Hill D, Henry M, Foreman D. A pilot study of tele-oncology in Scotland. J Telemed Telecare 1998; 4: 113-119[CrossRef][Medline].
33. Ball CJ, McLaren PM, Summerfield AB, Lipsedge MS, Watson JP. A comparison of communication modes in adult psychiatry. J Telemed Telecare 1995; 1: 22-26[Medline].
34. Allen A, Roman L, Cox R, Cardwell B. Home health visits using a cable television network: user satisfaction. J Telemed Telecare 1996; 2(suppl 1): 92-94.
35. McLaren PM, Blunden J, Lipsedge ML, Summerfield AB. Telepsychiatry in an inner-city community psychiatric service. J Telemed Telecare 1996; 2: 57-59[CrossRef][Medline].
36. Trott P. The Queensland Northern Regional Health Authority telemental health project. J Telemed Telecare 1996; 2(suppl 1): 98-104.
37. Wootton R. Telemedicine in the National Health Service. J R Soc Med 1998; 91: 614-621[Medline].

(Accepted 5 April 2000)

© BMJ 2000
Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Complore Complore   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?

Relevant Article

Studies of patient satisfaction with telemedicine are inconclusive
BMJ 2000 320: 0. [Full Text]

This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Vitacca, M, Mazzu, M, Scalvini, S (2009). Socio-technical and organizational challenges to wider e-Health implementation. Chronic Respiratory Disease 6: 91-97 [Abstract]  
  • Mort, M., Finch, T., May, C. (2009). Making and Unmaking Telepatients: Identity and Governance in New Health Technologies. Science Technology Human Values 34: 9-33 [Abstract]  
  • Piron, L., Turolla, A., Tonin, P., Piccione, F., Lain, L., Dam, M. (2008). Satisfaction with care in post-stroke patients undergoing a telerehabilitation programme at home. J Telemed Telecare 14: 257-260 [Abstract] [Full text]  
  • Basch, E., Iasonos, A., Barz, A., Culkin, A., Kris, M. G., Artz, D., Fearn, P., Speakman, J., Farquhar, R., Scher, H. I., McCabe, M., Schrag, D. (2007). Long-Term Toxicity Monitoring via Electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes in Patients Receiving Chemotherapy. JCO 25: 5374-5380 [Abstract] [Full text]  
  • Clark, R. A., Yallop, J. J., Piterman, L., Croucher, J., Tonkin, A., Stewart, S., Krum, H., CHAT Study Team, (2007). Adherence, adaptation and acceptance of elderly chronic heart failure patients to receiving healthcare via telephone-monitoring. Eur J Heart Fail 9: 1104-1111 [Abstract] [Full text]  
  • Brignell, M., Wootton, R., Gray, L. (2007). The application of telemedicine to geriatric medicine. Age Ageing 36: 369-374 [Abstract] [Full text]  
  • van den Brink, J. L., Moorman, P. W., de Boer, M. F., Hop, W. C.J., Pruyn, J. F.A., Verwoerd, C. D.A., van Bemmel, J. H. (2007). Impact on Quality of Life of a Telemedicine System Supporting Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Controlled Trial During the Postoperative Period at Home. J. Am. Med. Inform. Assoc. 14: 198-205 [Abstract] [Full text]  
  • Bakken, S., Grullon-Figueroa, L., Izquierdo, R., Lee, N.-J., Morin, P., Palmas, W., Teresi, J., Weinstock, R. S., Shea, S., Starren, J., IDEATEL Consortium, (2006). Development, Validation, and Use of English and Spanish Versions of the Telemedicine Satisfaction and Usefulness Questionnaire. J. Am. Med. Inform. Assoc. 13: 660-667 [Abstract] [Full text]  
  • Daucourt, V., Sicotte, C., Pelletier-Fleury, N., Petitjean, M.-E., Chateil, J.-F., Michel, P. (2006). Cost-minimization analysis of a wide-area teleradiology network in a French region. Int J Qual Health Care 18: 287-293 [Abstract] [Full text]  
  • Chiang, M. F., Keenan, J. D., Starren, J., Du, Y. E., Schiff, W. M., Barile, G. R., Li, J., Johnson, R. A., Hess, D. J., Flynn, J. T. (2006). Accuracy and reliability of remote retinopathy of prematurity diagnosis.. Arch Ophthalmol 124: 322-327 [Abstract] [Full text]  
  • Marcin, J. P., Wetzel, R. C. (2005). Telecritical Care: What Is the Evidence?. J Intensive Care Med 20: 249-251  
  • Basch, E., Artz, D., Dulko, D., Scher, K., Sabbatini, P., Hensley, M., Mitra, N., Speakman, J., McCabe, M., Schrag, D. (2005). Patient Online Self-Reporting of Toxicity Symptoms During Chemotherapy. JCO 23: 3552-3561 [Abstract] [Full text]  
  • Spooner, S. A., Gotlieb, E. M., the Steering Committee on Clinical Information Tec, (2004). Telemedicine: Pediatric Applications. Pediatrics 113: e639-e643 [Abstract] [Full text]  
  • Finch, T., May, C., Mair, F., Mort, M., Gask, L. (2003). Integrating service development with evaluation in telehealthcare: an ethnographic study. BMJ 327: 1205-1209 [Abstract] [Full text]  
  • May, C., Harrison, R., Finch, T., MacFarlane, A., Mair, F., Wallace, P. (2003). Understanding the Normalization of Telemedicine Services through Qualitative Evaluation. J. Am. Med. Inform. Assoc. 10: 596-604 [Abstract] [Full text]  
  • Jacklin, P B, Roberts, J A, Wallace, P, Haines, A, Harrison, R, Barber, J A, Thompson, S G, Lewis, L, Currell, R, Parker, S, Wainwright, P (2003). Virtual outreach: economic evaluation of joint teleconsultations for patients referred by their general practitioner for a specialist opinion. BMJ 327: 84- [Abstract] [Full text]  
  • van Boxel, P., Anderson, K., Regnard, C. (2003). The effectiveness of palliative care education delivered by videoconferencing compared with face-to-face delivery. Palliat Med 17: 344-358 [Abstract]  
  • Dahl, L B, Hasvold, P, Arild, E, Hasvold, T, Wren, C, Dahl, L B, Hasvold, P, Arild, E, Hasvold, T (2002). Heart murmurs recorded by a sensor based electronic stethoscope and e-mailed for remote assessment. Arch. Dis. Child. 87: 297-301 [Abstract] [Full text]  
  • Collins, K., Nicolson, P. (2002). The Meaning of 'Satisfaction' for People with Dermatological Problems: Reassessing Approaches to Qualitative Health Psychology Research. J Health Psychol 7: 615-629 [Abstract]  
  • Shea, S., Starren, J., Weinstock, R. S., Knudson, P. E., Teresi, J., Holmes, D., Palmas, W., Field, L., Goland, R., Tuck, C., Hripcsak, G., Capps, L., Liss, D. (2002). Columbia University's Informatics for Diabetes Education and Telemedicine (IDEATel) Project: Rationale and Design. J. Am. Med. Inform. Assoc. 9: 49-62 [Abstract] [Full text]  
  • Grol, R. (2001). Improving the Quality of Medical Care: Building Bridges Among Professional Pride, Payer Profit, and Patient Satisfaction. JAMA 286: 2578-2585 [Abstract] [Full text]  
  • May, C., Mort, M., Mair, F., Williams, T. (2001). Factors affecting the adoption of telehealthcare in the United Kingdom: the policy context and the problem of evidence. Health Informatics Journal 7: 131-134 [Abstract]  
  • Prutkin, J. M. (2001). Cybermedical Skills for the Internet Age. JAMA 285: 808-808 [Full text]  

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Correction: New Zealand is not a state of Australia!
Amanda Oakley
bmj.com, 6 Jun 2000 [Full text]
Patient Satisfaction and Telemedicine
Victor Patterson, et al.
bmj.com, 12 Jun 2000 [Full text]
Patients' satisfaction with telemedicine
Badal Pal
bmj.com, 14 Jun 2000 [Full text]
Doc2Doc Vacancy
Access jobs at BMJ Careers
Whats new online at Student BMJ